Maseki Gurume – 012a
012 – Second time going out, let’s go to the capital (of a different continent)
Gatangoton……gatangoton……
After receiving the extremely shocking explanation from Olivia, a few hours had passed.
Ain had already descended from the huge ship and had now moved to a different location.
As a side note, that ship they boarded had a name, and was called “Princess Olivia”, according to Chris.
“(That’s totally a ship exclusively for Mother’s use, right?)”
With the talk progressing with terms like Princess, and Olivia-sama and so on, Ain had no choice but to accept this as reality, even if he wasn’t completely convinced.
“Princess Olivia”‘s speed was unusual. The continent would usually take two to three days by boat from the Port City Roundhart, but it only took a short time. So, they soon arrived at the Unified Nation of Ishtalika.
According to Chris’ explanation, the power source of the boat was, just like the ships in Heim, using magic stones to generate propulsion.
However, even if the same fuel was used, there was a big difference in speed because the number and size of the engines was on another level.
The materials of the engine and other parts were not detailed, but when making a normal engine, the size and the numbers were decided according to the hardness of the material.
With the difference this big, the materials used for the hull of the ship were probably also superior and something Ain didn’t know.
He didn’t know how it worked, but this vehicle, which used a mountain of magic stones, was quite comfortable for Ain.
He got a sense of satisfaction similar to fullness.
“Well, leaving aside the speed of the ship, the matter of mother’s birth was more of a shock.”
“Ain? What’s wrong? Did you say something? ”
“Just that this is an amazing ship, Mother.”
“Fufu…… is that so? I’m quite proud of this ship.”
That little murmur did reach Olivia’s ears.
However, she didn’t seem to care much.
Unified Nation of Ishtalika’s Second Princess, Olivia Von Ishtalika.
That was Olivia’s former name…… or it could be said that she went back to her original name since she had separated.
While remembering what he learned about that country, Ain went over everything he knew about Ishtalika.
Leaving aside that Heim was no match in land area versus Ishtalika, not even the whole continent where Heim was located was a match for Ishtalika.
They lost by a score of two, nearly three times.
If all the small islands were added to continental Isthar, that score was tripled, and even if it was only between the main continents, Isthar was still twice as large.
Although many people lived on the small islands, they were not militarily strong since most of the inhabitants were peasants, like farmers or civil workers.
Coming to that point, it was a mystery to Ain why such a strong country had sent a princess to marry into Heim.
＊
“……Mother.”
“Huh? What is it, Ain?”
“There are a lot of things I don’t understand, after all……”
What I was explained then was that mother was the second princess, and that the fact she married into the Roundhart family was because there was something Ishtalika needed.
Also, that the blonde female knight Chris was a former member of mother’s exclusive knights, and now she was on knight duty on another department.
Gatangoton……gatangoton.
And one last thing was, about where we were headed.
That place was the capital city of Ishtalika, the place where my mother’s parents live…… in other words, the castle.
I heard the castle is (supposedly) very beautiful, and it’s called “White Knight”.
Seems like that name originated from the fact that the first King who unified the continent of Isthar was a Silver Knight.
……But the thing I still don’t understand the most is, why did she hide fact that she was the Second Princess, and what is that which Ishtalika is in need of?
After all, they have amazing technologies here.
They have abundant resources, they lack any food-related problem, and have a lot of military power.
What the heck do they need to make a princess marry into another country?
“Sorry. I’m suddenly making you go through a lot of things, Ain.”
“N……not at all, I’m okay! It’s not like I was separated from you mother, and left alone, right? ”
That’s a common story.
The mother sacrifices herself to let her son escape.
And then, the child swears to take revenge on the man who caused his mother’s death.
“There’s no way I’d let that happen, Ain. Up until we got into the ship at the Roundhart port, I thought that might have been the case…… but no matter how much I think about it, there’s no way I will let that happen now. I’m sure you have a lot of questions to ask, right? There are some things I can’t decide myself, so tomorrow…… Ahh, the date has already changed, I’ll explain it later today when we arrive at the castle, Ain…… is that okay?”
“Alright. Honestly, rather than anxious, I’m a bit interested in where we’re going! That’s why I’ll wait properly.”
“……Really well said……he’s a really smart person isn’t he, Olivia-sama?”
“Yes, he’s a great boy, right? ”
After getting off the ship, Chris-san kept close to us.
She said it was because there was nobody stronger than her in this place right now.
She must be an excellent knight, after all she was the escort of a princess.
“You did well in hanging in there with ‘that’ for this long……I-I’m extremely sorry, I overstep my bounds.”
“……I still have some regrets about that person, but most of the feelings pretty much disappeared a while ago, and even from the beginning they were uncertain.”
Not only Chris treated Ain’s father as a ‘that’, but even Olivia’s own evaluation of her husband wasn’t great.
“(Chris and mother are quite friendly……)”
“Ahh! S-……Speaking of which, what kind of vehicle are we riding right now? I don’t know what this is since after we got off the boat, we went through a tunnel and got in.”
I wasn’t aware at the time we were changing vehicles since the same kind of carpet and luxurious vibe was on the street, just as in the ship, and then we got into another luxurious room.
However, from outside I could head that Gatangoton sound.
But I wasn’t sure what it was.
“Ohh, I beg your pardon, Ain-sama. We switched to a water train, but there isn’t a similar vehicle in Heim.”
“Wa……water train? ”
So, it was a train after all? I imagined that might be the case because of that rattling sound……ahh, but if you think about it, they have that high-level technology to make such a huge ship and have plenty of resources, so it’s a given they can easily make a train.
But, what’s a water train? Is this thing running on water?
“Yes, a water train. To explain the principle in a simple way…… the crushed magic stones are submerged into a specially shaped water tank. There’s a special layer at the bottom of the tank that allows the crushed magic stoned to be interacted from the outside, generating heat.”
I see, so steam?
It seems this is more eco-friendly than using coal, since there isn’t smoke.
Maseki Gurume – 012b
“So, it moves by generating steam?”
“……I’m surprised. So, you know how it works, Ain-sama?”
“Ain, when did you learn about this? ”
“I just happened to read about that in a book by chance.”
Sorry, I only know up to the point of the steam, but after that I don’t know how it works at all.
Sort of like……It generated steam that powers an engine, but that’s pretty much all I know.
In the first place, I don’t know what shape the turbine has or by what principle it works.
I just know the rough way it works.
“I see, it’s indeed important to learn that kind of knowledge……”
“It was really by change, seriously! ”
“Isn’t he a great son?”
I’m satisfied with just mother’s praise.
It’s nice to be complimented on my knowledge every now and then.
“By the way, how fast is this water train? I can barely feel any shaking.”
“Did you know that speed can cause it to shake……? Well, let me explain, the maximum speed it can reach is 1100R, but the normal operational speed is between 850 to 950R.”
R is a measurement unit equal to Km, and it was easy to grasp it since I still had that knowledge from my memories back on earth.
“It goes that fast! ? ”
If you consider 800km/h is the speed of a passenger plane, you can see how amazing the speed of this train is.
With that said, this doesn’t shake at all, and aside the occasional ‘gatangoton’ from outside, no other sound is heard so it’s incredibly comfortable.
“Yes, that’s right. You don’t feel the shaking because that is controlled by a special dimensional control unit especially made for this train.”
What’s that dimensional control unit? Something like a different dimension?
Now I’m scared of going near the windows.
“I-I see…… so, it’s very comfortable for those living in Ishtalika to move around?”
“There is no water train for civilian use currently. By the way, this train is a direct train to the White Rose station, the largest station in the capital. We follow the same route as the other water trains coming out from the port, but the track laid for this train is a private one, and of course that also means it has its own dedicated platform at the station.”
So, that’s why the ship had a direct connection to the train.
Well, to be honest, this does feels like I’m receiving a VIP treatment.
“Still, getting into a royalty-only vehicle…… I feel a bit bad for this.”
When Ain said so, Olivia giggled, covering her mouth with her hand as she smiled.
“M-……Mother? Did I say something weird? ”
“No at all, Ain, I just thought it was a bit funny…… sorry.”
“Okay……”
Did I say something funny? To his wonders, Chris was the one who explained.
“Ain-sama, this is something you didn’t know before, so I think it will be somewhat difficult for you to accept it right away……”
She seemed a bit apologetic, but she still continued her explanation.
“You too are a legitimate part of the Ishtalika Royal Family, Ain-sama. You are the legitimate child of Olivia-sama, the second princess, so of course you have the right to use it.”
C-Certainly, I’m also part of the royal family!
Moreover, I’m the only son of someone in quite a high position, the Second Princess!
It’s a given that I should be able to ride in here! And let me say it again, this juice is delicious.
“To be honest, I completely forgot. It’s obvious that mother’s child would also belong to the royal family.”
“I’m glad you understand.”
“Let’s not think of sad things, Ain, okay? After all, you are truly my one and only son…… okay? ”
In the morning, he got into a carriage (last car) and headed towards the capital of Heim, he had lost his position to the second son, and although he was overwhelmed by stuff like not being able to attend the parties, he was now being treated as a VIP member of the Royal Family.
Certainly, this flow of events was outside his expectations.
He, for sure, believed this second life was all part of God’s plan, after all, it was written “Earl’s house” in the gacha.
Therefore, this chain of events was probably just the hand of fate at play.
“By the way…… Olivia-sama.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“There’s one problem…… Well, not really a problem, but there will be some hassle for you both after we arrive at the castle.”
“I expected some of that to be the case, since I suddenly separated and returned home.”
“No, it’s not about that.”
Chris-san was painfully trying to say something, I wonder what it is?
“……The messenger bird Olivia-sama sent, certainly arrived, but the message was delivered to the Royal Family’s steward’s office.”
“Messenger Bird” isn’t a real bird, but some sort of disposable contact device that can be used if the receiver and sender have one set.
It works by dividing a magic stone into two using a special processing technique, and maintaining the connection.
The amount of money one set costs increases depending on the distance that it can be used, and its price is considerably high for one that can be used across continents, like this time.
The money is also a limiting factor, since they aren’t much convenient because it’s only a one-way communication tool and can only be used once…… or so I heard.
“I suppose you’re right, after all it was you and the other knights the ones who came pick us up, Chris.”
Thanks to that, they had come to pick us up at the Roundhart port so quickly, otherwise, taking into consideration the time used delivering a letter, it would’ve taken at least a week for that alone.
“It was certainly delivered, but before we heard from the steward’s office……no, even after we came, His Majesty…… and the rest of the royal family weren’t informed of Olivia-sama’s return.”
“Oh my.”
Mother reacted like not placing much importance on that issue.
But that will become quite problematic, I think.
“In this time’s case, since the royal family wasn’t contacted, the authority to use the Royal Train and Princess Olivia was treated as being authorized by you, Olivia-sama, since you are royalty.”
“Oh, I see.”
“Why didn’t the King was informed of this……?”
“I can almost imagine what would’ve had happened. Knowing father, he would’ve used the White King.”
“Mother, what is the White King? ”
I got to hear a name I didn’t know.
“It’s a special ship under father…… under King Silvird. It’s much bigger than Princess Olivia, and since it has a lot of things it can attack with, it’s a ship that shouldn’t leave port too much.”
“Just like Olivia-sama says, and it’s impossible for us to hold down His Majesty……In a lot of ways.”
I’m a bit scared to ask what that “a lof of ways” means.
“I know what you’re thinking, Chris. You can never be too thankful for those working in the Steward’s office, I won’t forget to go and convey my thanks.”
“I thank you for your kindness.”
Mother was the one who gave the order not to tell the King and others, that’s what she planned to say.
And as for the authority to use the royal train and Princess Olivia, it seems mother has more than enough of it to call for their dispatch.
The people in the Steward’s office should be in no problem in that aspect, after all, if the second princess Olivia orders them not to speak about it, then it’s their obligation to comply.
“But you’re right……Oh my, that means I’m a daughter who suddenly came home without contacting them earlier.” (TLN: This is some sort of expression, but since I didnt know what it meant, I translated as it was.)
“……I don’t understand what that expression means. But I hope it doesn’t turn to be huge deal.”
“Fufu, it’s fine, right? It looks fun.”
Above all else, I’m happy mother is having fun.
“What are father’s plans for tomorrow? ”
“Before leaving to pick you up, Olivia-sama, I confirmed there was nothing special scheduled.”
“Good, then it’s fine if I just enter the castle as usual, and after taking a bath I head to my room. There’s no problem with that, right? ”
“N-……Not at all, but please, before that, go speak with His Majesty.”
“But Ain is tired. I’ll go greet father after Ain has had a good rest. That’s fine, right? ”
Hearing mother’s plans, I have no issue with them at all.
Up to this point……This is the first time I’ve seen mother speak selfishly about what she wants to do.
(This side of mother is also good.)
However, I kind of feel a bit bad for His Majesty, so let’s help him a bit.
“Mother, if you suddenly return home without saying a word, His Majesty and your family will be worried. Chris-san, at what time will this train arrive at the station?”
“Y-Yes, it is scheduled to arrive around 11:00 in the morning.”
“Thank you. While on the subject, how long does it take to reach the castle from the White Rose Station? ”
“It’s about 20 minutes away using a private carriage.”
That means we’ll arrive at the castle at around 11:30, give or take, and mother said she wanted to take a bath after entering the castle, then……
“Let’s have a light meal prepared around 12:30. Then have a little nap break at around 1 o’clock, and go see His Majesty after 3 o’clock in the afternoon, how does that sound mother? ”
“Okay……But are you alright with that, Ain? If you want, we can take a few days off, you know? ”
That’s too much waiting time.
“Since I will be in his care…… I would like to greet His Majesty a bit earlier, mother. I don’t want him to feel insulted and think “Olivia’s education was lacking”.”
“……Isn’t he such a cute and lovely boy, my Ain? Alright, let’s do that.”
Nice, I got hugged.
“Speaking of which, could I ask you to prepare a room, Chris-san? I feel like I’d appear as rude since I’m suddenly intruding.”
“There’s no way you’d appear as rude, Ain-sama…… If it’s a room-”
“For the time being, how about sharing a room with me, there’s no problem, right Ain? ”
It seems I got the best result possible.
Hey Chris, don’t look at us with such a troubled expression.